Hamas Releases Four Israeli Soldiers in Second Hostage Exchange Amid

Hamas released four Israeli female soldiers to the Red Cross in Gaza City on Saturday, marking the second exchange of captives under the ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. In return, Israel was set to release 200 Palestinian prisoners later in the day.

The freed soldiers—Karina Ariev (20), Daniella Gilboa (20), Naama Levy (20), and Liri Albag (19)—were captured during Hamas’ October 7 attack on Israel, in which Palestinian militants overran the Nahal Oz military base, killing more than 60 Israeli soldiers. The four women served in a border monitoring unit, tasked with identifying potential security threats along the Gaza-Israel border.

As the hostages were handed over, crowds gathered in Tel Aviv’s Hostages Square, watching the emotional moment unfold on a big screen. Cheers erupted as Israel confirmed that the soldiers were safely with its forces. “I’m speechless,” said Aviv Bercovich, a Tel Aviv resident. “I had goosebumps watching them.

Palestinian Prisoners Released in Exchange

In exchange, Israel was set to release 200 Palestinian prisoners, including 121 individuals serving life sentences**, according to a list released by Hamas. Among them were Mohammad Odeh (52) and Wael Qassim (54), both from East Jerusalem, accused of involvement in deadly Hamas attacks, including a 2002 bombing at Hebrew University that killed nine people, including five U.S. citizens.

The list also indicated that 70 prisoners would be expelled from Gaza and the West Bank, though no details were provided on their destination.

This hostage-prisoner swap is the second since the fragile ceasefire began last weekend, aiming to de-escalate the deadliest conflict between Israel and Hamas. The first exchange, which took place on Sunday, saw Hamas release three Israeli hostages in exchange for 90 Palestinian prisoners—all women and minors.

The truce has temporarily halted airstrikes and rocket fire while enabling humanitarian aid to enter the besieged Gaza Strip. However, both sides remain wary of potential breakdowns in negotiations.

As the four freed Israeli soldiers undergo medical checks and reunite with their families, the world watches closely to see whether the ceasefire will hold and if further exchanges will take place in the coming days.